Historic District - South in Savannah in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Louis B. Toomer: Founder of Carver State Bank

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 6, 2018

1. Louis B. Toomer: Founder of Carver State Bank Marker

Marker was dedicated on Thursday, June 7, 2018.

Inscription.
Louis Burke Toomer, African-American leader, local bank founder, and realtor, was born in Savannah in 1897. Raised and educated locally, Toomer established the Georgia Savings and Realty Corporation on February 23, 1927, in the historic black business district on West Broad Street. During segregation, the company provided banking, investment, and insurance services for blacks who were not always allowed access to white banking establishments. In 1947, the name of the corporation changed to The Carver Savings Bank, and it was converted to a state-supervised savings bank. It became The Carver State Bank in 1962. A staunch Republican who served as a delegate at three GOP conventions, Toomer was appointed Register of the Treasury (1953-1956) by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Toomer died in 1961 and a bronze sundial was erected in his honor in 1964 in Chatham Square.

Erected 2018 by Georgia Historical Society and Carver State Bank. (Marker Number 25-60.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #34 Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the Georgia Historical Society series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 23, 1927.

Location.

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32° 4.321′ N, 81° 5.814′ W. Marker is in Savannah, Georgia, in Chatham County. It is in the Historic District - South. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Barnard Street and West Taylor Street, on the left when traveling north. Located in the middle of Chatham Square. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Barnard Street, Savannah GA 31401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jepson House Education Center (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pulaski Monument (about 600 feet away); Comer House (about 600 feet away); Georgia Historical Society (about 600 feet away); Casimir Pulaski (about 700 feet away); Former Home of Henry R. Jackson (approx. 0.2 miles away); Congregation Mickve Israel (approx. 0.2 miles away); Savannah's Marine Corps Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Savannah.

Also see . . . Carver State Bank history with photo of Louis B. Toomer. (Submitted on December 6, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

View of marker looking northeast towards West Taylor Street. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 6, 2018

2. View of marker looking northeast towards West Taylor Street.

View of marker looking west into Chatham Square. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mark Hilton, December 6, 2018

3. View of marker looking west into Chatham Square.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 8, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 472 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 6, 2018, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.